Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement Feb. 9. The new rules will require individuals to be vaccinated by March 24 and provide professional colleges the tools they need to collect information about the vaccination status of their registrants. Colleges must then follow up and investigate any instances where health professionals continue to provide health services not in compliance with the order.
“I have spoken many times of the importance of all health-care professionals doing everything we can, and it is our obligation that we are taking all measures to protect the patients in our care,” said Henry. “It is also important for us to protect our own health as part of being able to contribute to the health care of others during this challenging time.”
In October the government brought in a mandatory vaccination policy for all health-care workers in long-term care, acute care and community health settings. The province said the new order will ensure patients have confidence they are protected in all health-care settings and will align with the previous requirements. Regulated health professionals who are vaccinated with one dose before March 24 may continue to work as long as they receive a second dose 28 to 35 days after their first dose.
Updates will be provided as consultation on the order is completed. More information about B.C.’s COVID-19 response can be found here.
If you have any information, story ideas or news tips for The Lawyer’s Daily please contact Ian Burns at Ian.Burns@lexisnexis.ca or call 905-415-5906.